Anyone had/got a Bandit 1250 or 650

Hi All

Even though I'm loving the SV and have no intention of getting rid, it is still a first bike for me so I'm getting really curious about other bikes.

Just looking through the Suzuki web site and looked at the 1250 street fighter bandit .
I like that alot.
Anyone know how the bandit is for riding either the 1250 or the standard 650 as if I was to look at getting a second bike I'm not sure I would want anything as large as the 1250 just yet.

you have time on your hands go for a wee test drive!!

Went from an SV to a Bandit 656cc.

Similar bike in terms of performance. Slightly quicker (do mean slightly), but heavier bike. Can't be thrown about as easily, but still not to bad to flick around.

Same service intervals, similar costs to run, same brakes etc....

I got mine as a commuter bike, but it seems perfectly happy being ragged around the countryside too, as well as a long distance trips too.

Fuel tanks much bigger, 17l I think, I get between 180-220 miles depending on riding conditions.

I like it, its a good comfy get on it every day bike. Not as chuckable as the SV, but then your positions upright and comfy, and its heavier, and wider, but overal, for what I needed it for, its the better bike over the SV.

Gearbox is nice and close, so your flicking through the gears which makes it feel faster than it is, but it means you can get from 2nd to 5th without worrying too much if your well into 3 figure speeds, so it is a fun little bike.

Big soft suspension over the bumps too

Mines over 20,000 in under 2 years now, and its not missed one single beat the whole time.

I had the 650 as a hire bike for 10 days and wrote a little review of it - HERE -
The is a bit of rambling, but my main thoughts are on page 2.

Originally Posted by Baz

Just looking through the Suzuki web site and looked at the 1250 street fighter bandit .

Bear in mind that is a basic Bandit with minor difference in styling.

The 1250 is a great bike, a little more civilised than its earlier incarnations, and has a lovely smooth engine. It feels a little bulky to ride at first but that will soon shale off, you do not feel the weight of the bike when it is moving either. The chassis is great, not excellent but then is isn't a sports bike chassis, and the brakes are up to the job of hauling the bike up at silly speeds.

Millions of accessories available, whether official or not, so the bike can be customised to suit you and your needs.

[fizzwheel]

I've ridden both, when I take the GSXR in for a service I ask for the Bandit 1250 demo bike.

Its huge amount of fun, its easy to ride, very smooth on the throttle and reams and reams of low down torque with.

The one I rode was a faired one and it was really comfy, If I wanted a bike for touring or long distance commuting that'd be it.

Its a bit spongey and soft on the suspension and it takes a bit of muscle to get it started turning, but its not really a sports bike so thats to be expected.

Bl**dy excellent bike for what it is IMHO.

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave

Bear in mind that is a basic Bandit with minor difference in styling.

Yea I know, guess I just like the way its been done.

Thanks for the advice guys think I might take a trip to the shop and see about test riding one.
There is a little voice in my head though saying "try the 1250"
We'll see.

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave

Bear in mind that is a basic Bandit with minor difference in styling.

The 1250 is a great bike, a little more civilised than its earlier incarnations, and has a lovely smooth engine. It feels a little bulky to ride at first but that will soon shale off, you do not feel the weight of the bike when it is moving either. The chassis is great, not excellent but then is isn't a sports bike chassis, and the brakes are up to the job of hauling the bike up at silly speeds.

Millions of accessories available, whether official or not, so the bike can be customised to suit you and your needs.

and a yoshi can which is silly amounts to buy seperately

A mate of mine has the bandit 1250sa,have to say i was quite impressed,very comfortable to ride & the more you hoon it the lighter & more flickable it seems to become,i recommend one.

Beowulf stainless oval. Not huge amounts of noise top end but lot of mid roar mid range revs

http://public.fotki.com/DaimoB/gener...ike/page2.html